News releases

LETR invites feedback

The SRA Board will consider a progress report on the Legal Education and Training Review including the first of three discussion papers and a call for evidence at its meeting on 4 April 2012.

The discussion paper follows the recent publication of the draft literature review and the Review Team is inviting comment on the key issues by 10 May 2012.

The report also emphasises the need to raise awareness of the wide-ranging nature and scope of the Review amongst stakeholders, as well as the opportunities to engage with it, during both the research phase, and subsequently as the three regulators - the SRA, BSB and IPS - prepare and implement reform programmes.

Samantha Barrass, SRA Executive Director, said: "We are keen to receive input from our stakeholders at all stages of the Review, both during the 2012 initial research phase and subsequently, in 2013 and onwards when we formulate and consult on a new education and training regime. It is vital, given the enormous implications of the outcomes of this Review, that we ensure everyone has a chance to comment and contribute.

"Papers published during the research phase will form the basis for discussions this year but are definitely not the end of the story. The research team’s final report at the end of this year will form the basis of the next steps for the review in 2013.

"We are actively encouraging feedback through a variety of channels – including the publication of the discussion papers, our website, meetings with stakeholder groups, a new regular e-bulletin, as well as a symposium in July which will combine national and international perspectives."

Stakeholders can also comment on a briefing paper on knowledge, skills and attributes and a second draft on equality, diversity and social mobility shortly to be published. Field research for the next stages of the research covering contextual analysis and workforce development is underway and due to be completed by July.

The LETR website contains details of future publications with deadlines for comment.

Note to editors

The discussion paper and call for evidence describes some of the key strengths and weaknesses of the current system, and seeks to establish a relatively high-level consensus on what needs to change. While comments on any aspect of this paper are welcome, the following are topics on which the research team would be particularly interested in receiving views, analysis and evidence: The extent to which the overarching structure of LET is or is not 'fit for purpose'; any weaknesses that exist in respect of the existing stages in LET, and the extent to which there is willingness to consider radical change in the LET system; and the extent to which the objectives and assumptions of the Legal Services Act (LSA) and the moves to outcomes-focused regulation may be creating new or additional problems for the regulation of LET.